Are Canadian kids losing the ability to play? New study suggests a problem

Canadian kids aren’t just inactive but lack the fundamental movement skills, knowledge and motivation to engage in physical activities and play, according to a new study. The study, led by researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, examined more than 10,000 children aged 8-12 across Canada over three years and found that only one-third of kids meet what is thought to be a basic level of physical literacy. That means that most kids lack skills like throwing a ball and perform below expectations in aerobic tests, don’t get enough physical activity and what’s more — they don’t want to. This can have big effects on their health down the road, according to Dr. Mark Tremblay, director of healthy active living and obesity research at the CHEO Research Institute, who worked on the project. 'We know that kids today are less active than they used to be. They’re less fit than they used to be. They’re heavier than they used to be. They’re more sedentary than they used to be', he said.